The Fort Hays State women's basketball team opens conference play against Missouri Southern Thursday (Nov. 30) inside Gross Memorial Coliseum. First tip is set for 5:30 p.m. The Tigers head into the weekend 5-0 on the season, while the Lions are 1-5 to date.
 
This is the 49th meeting all-time between the Tigers and Lions, with FHSU holding a 30-18 advantage in the series. The Tigers are 20-4 against the Lions in Hays. Tony Hobson is 11-6 against the Green and Gold in his time at FHSU, including a 7-1 mark inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.
 
The Tigers are 6-3 in league openers and 8-1 in their first home MIAA game of the year under Hobson.
 
Ball control has been a key component to Fort Hays State's early season success, as the Tigers lead all NCAA Division II with just 9.4 turnovers per game and rank third in the country with a 1.64 assist/turnover ratio.
 
Four Tigers are averaging in double figures, led by Tatyana Legette (14.6 ppg) Kacey Kennett (14.0), Taylor Rolfs (11.8) and Whitney Clampitt (10.8). Legette, also the team leader with 9.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per night, is the lone individual ranked in the top 10 in the MIAA in scoring, rebounding and assists.
 
Missouri Southern enters Thursday's contest after winning its first game of the season Sunday (Nov. 26) against Ottawa, 75-60. MSSU is 0-2 away from home so far this season. The Lions average 66.3 points per game, fourth fewest in the MIAA. The Green and Gold have a -6.0 rebound margin through six games, last in the conference. Chelsey Henry is the top offensive threat for the Lions, leading the team and ranking fourth in the league with 16.7 points per game. Jenson Maydew grabs a team-best 8.7 rebounds each night, eighth-most in the MIAA, while Kamiron Luptak leads the way with 3.3 assists each game (7th MIAA).